Get your fishing poles ready, the summer salmon season is officially on the hook in the fruitful waters of Hanford Reach. As per the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, anglers are clear to cast their lines starting June 16. But before you rush to wade into the Columbia River, take note of the local rules specific to different stretches of water. The state agency announced the opening with detailed regulations to ensure the environment remains undisturbed and the species, protected.
Section one: from Columbia Point to I-182 Bridge at Richland will be open from June 16 through the June 30. Anglers might want to seriously to consider the Two-Pole Endorsement, also remember the daily limit is six salmon, with a minimum size of 12 inches. Hard and fast rule: no more than one Chinook per catch and the intrinsic need to release all wild adult Chinook back into the blue. Do note that this segment of the river restricts fishers to the west (Richland) bank only. It's a no-go for boat anglers and those on the east (Pasco) side of the river.
Moving upstream, from the I-182 Bridge to below Priest Rapids Dam, conditions mirror those of the lower banking area. The same dates apply, and likewise, that dainty nightly closure for salmon comes into effect. And don't even think about sharpening those hooks, folks. Barbless hooks are not required, carving out one less worry for the anglers among us.
Come July, the rules will swim their way over to the official 2024-25 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet. For fishermen longing for specifics about the summer Chinook and sockeye fishery, they'll have to look no further than the pages of that handy guide. A heads up to the eager: waters from Highway 395 Bridge to I-182 Bridge are off-limits during the Salmon summer frenzy. This action seems to be meticulously tailored to mesh with co-manager agreements and to cause minimal disruption to wildlife patterns while allowing humans to engage in the age-old tradition of sport fishing.
For additional updates and rule changes throughout the fishing season, keep a line cast on the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife's website. Good luck out there, reel in the big ones, and remember to fish responsibly.
